Photos: US women's rugby team shares love of sport with Anchorage kids

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Former Chugiak High School athlete Alev Kelter coaches kids at a rugby camp Saturday, September 13, 2014 at Delaney Park in Anchorage. Kelter recently joined the US women’s rugby team.

On a soggy Saturday morning, dozens of kids and their families joined the USA's best female rugby players for a camp and demonstration at Anchorage's Delaney Park Strip.

Amidst training drills and rugby demonstrations, former Chugiak high school athletes Alev Kelter and Lorrie Clifford posed for photos with young fans and their parents.

Passing joggers and dog walkers stopped to watch the women in bright pink jerseys run back and forth with the ball.

Rugby is fairly unknown in Alaska, but lately it has been gaining popularity, partly because of the efforts of Alaska Demolition owner Justin Green, who built a rugby training ground on Anchorage's hillside.

The enthusiasm and generosity of the visiting women's team will only help spread rugby goodwill further.

Kelter and Clifford picked up the sport after wrapping up college careers. They are hoping to help the Eagles earn one of 16 berths in the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Clifford played Division II basketball at Western Oregon and caught the eye of the national team at a crossover camp and then she recruited Kelter, who played Division I women's hockey and soccer at Wisconsin. Now the two hope to help Team USA make it to the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Contact Loren Holmes at loren@alaskadispatch.com.